Pixtus - Photography Forum, Photographers, Photo Tips

Rahb · **Bored..(don't read unless you are too) -** 01-13-2007, 01:58 AM

It's 1:54am. I'm sitting here trolling the form realizing how little shooting I have done since summer/fall ended. I'm alwas looking for tips or insights to improve my ametuer abilities photographicly. I thought briefly about taking NYIP courses, but don't know if it would teach me anything books haven't.

So, I had off this Friday and will have off Monday. Add that to the 6 days off I had last week and I've had tons of free time. Every day I would think MAN, I should get out and shoot something. However, I just never see anything that I can be creative with in my opinion. Too much clutter around an interesting subject, poor lighting, rain, or just the plain old...don't know where to go.

Does anyone who lives in the G.P./Arlington area know of a good place to get some shutter time in around here. Something versitle like landscape/wildlife, or Landscape Cityscape? I've just been so LAZY when it comes to going out and getting shots to TRY to improve my abilities. I'm confident I have the "basics" down, it's more of knowing what to impicate for the look I'm going for. Then, when I get the look that I'm going for, the results are less than satisfactory to others....If I go for the dream halo look, it looks too "soft" to most people, If I want the sharp close up, too much contrast.....hmmm

Any tips or people who are in the same boat? Also,a nd locations that are good in the area to check out day to day would be great. I know there is some places in other areas where people are able to go to almost daily. Something like Brazos Bend or something. Somwhere they can get comfortable and familiar with and are able to attempt different creative ideas without being overwhelemed by the new invironment each time. I just wish we had a place like that around here. I would say Cedar Hill state park, but I can't think of anywhere that has a bustling amount of wildlife regularly. I think this spring I will have to scout some places out on the bike trails there......maybe I can find something......

Anyone care to voice in (or with be one of many ghost threads that are out there)? Like I said, I'm just bored and just felt like blurting this out there.

Daniel Bates · 01-13-2007, 02:14 AM

Come down to A&M and I'll show you more locations than you could shoot in a week.

BigEasy · 01-13-2007, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rahb

It's 1:54am. However, I just never see anything that I can be creative with in my opinion. Too much clutter around an interesting subject, poor lighting, rain, or just the plain old...don't know where to go.

I find that often when traveling... especially in gloomy weather. I try to shoot from odd angles and perspectives. Sometimes I know the sky will just suck no mater what I do, so I just make it a non focal point. I hate my flash(s) and it seems good light is harder to find than anything else for me. I'm a long way from the skill of many here, but in general my friends really enjoy my work... and frankly that is all I'm after.

brad · 01-13-2007, 08:44 AM

Try River Legacy Park in North Arlington... if its open today (with the weather), could be interesting with ice coming.

thrumyeyes · 01-13-2007, 10:49 AM

I havn't taken my camera there yet, but I would go check out UTA if I was in the neighborhood. I always find great photo ops on college campuses.

johnastovall · 01-13-2007, 11:06 AM

Take pictures of your Breakfast.

Look at the work the great Czech photographer, Josef Sudek, all done with things like, eggs, onion, bottles and light from a window in his house.

When you hit a dry (as in imagination) time, read some things to challenge you with new ideas and images. LensWork is the best for this that I've found. Then pick up Brooks Jensen's book, LETTING GO OF THE CAMERA: Essays on Photography and the Creative Life.

Good pictures don't come from where you are but where your mind is.